Volvo Amazon 122s
Volvo Personvagnar car (1956)
The Volvo Amazon is a mid-size car produced and marketed by Volvo Cars from 1956 to 1970.
In 1959 it was presented in the United States at the New York International Auto Show with the name Volvo 122S.
The Amazon model, evolution of the previous PV444/544 model, is produced in three versions: two-door sedan, four-door sedan and five-door station wagon.
All models are characterized by the "Ponton styling" (or Pontoon), i.e. the type of bodywork without fenders separated from the car body and without running boards or side steps. The sides are smooth with the integration of the fenders into the rest of the bodywork. The bodies of modern cars which make up the vast majority of production derive from this type of car body, even if the term is now out of use.
The Ponton styling of the three-box Volvo Amazon is inspired by US cars of the early 1950s, some Chrysler models, while for designer Jan Wilsgaard, the styling of the Amazon was inspired by a Kaiser seen at the port of Gothenburg.
In 1959 Volvo became the first manufacturer in the world to provide front seat belts as standard equipment, installed on all Amazon models, including those for export.
The car was initially called Amason (with an "s"), after the fierce female warriors of Greek mythology, the Amazons. German motorcycle manufacturer Kreidler had already trademarked the name, and the two companies agreed that Volvo could only use the name domestically (in Sweden), changing the spelling to Amazon. Subsequently, Volvo began its three-digit nomenclature and the line became known as the 120 Series.
Volvo Amazon Models - 120 Series:
Volvo 121: the first features the 1580 cm³ 60hp B16 engine, with a 3-speed manual gearbox. In August 1961 the engine was replaced by the 1778 cm³ and 68 hp B18 (derived from the 75 hp B16 from 1966).
Volvo 122S: introduced in 1958, it is the sports version of the 121. It features the B16 engine with two carburettors and 76hp. From 1961 to 1968 the engine was a B18 with power from 80 to 90 HP.
At the end of production the Volvo Amazon (120 series) is equipped with the B20 1986 cm³ and 100 HP.
The Volvo Amazon Favorit model debuted in 1966, when the PV544 went out of production, as a simplified version of the 121.
Volvo 123GT is the sportiest of the series, produced since 1967 with the 96hp B18 engine from the P1800.
The latter differs from the others by its rich equipment. Sixe has fog lights, sports steering wheel and fully reclining seats. Since 1968 it has been equipped with a 100 HP B20 engine.
The Amazon was originally produced at Volvo's Lundby plant in Gothenburg and later at the company's Torslandaverken plant, which began production in 1964.
Production of the Volvo Amazon/120 ends with 234,653 four-door models, 359,917 two-door models and 73,220 station wagons, of which 60% are exported, for a total of 667,791 vehicles.
